Admirals: Tito Fuentes Jr. resigns to pursue other coaching options

The Vallejo Admirals end their 18-game road trip this week and return to Wilson Park on Friday but the independent professional baseball team will do so with a change in their front office.

According to Admirals marketing director Robin Endsley-Finn, Admirals Vice President and assistant coach Tito Fuentes Jr. has resigned to pursue a head coaching job with another team. Endsley-Finn did not know what team Fuentes was pursuing.

"Tito turned in his resignation on the 18th to (Robert Young, the Admirals owner) and we thought it was best to honor his resignation," Endsley-Finn said. "We wish him the best and a great future in another position."

Endsley-Finn went on to say that Garry Templeton II will continue to be the field manager and Keith Eusebio will continue to be the pitching coach for the second half of the season, which began on Friday with a road game against the Sonoma Stompers.

The Admirals finished two games behind first-half winner the San Rafael Pacifics.

Fuentes Jr. served as field manager for the Admirals for a portion of last season. He was replaced by Templeton this year as Fuentes Jr. took on his new title as vice president and assistant coach.

In April, Fuentes Jr. said that he welcomed leaving the managing to Templeton.

"I'm so excited," Fuentes said in April. "I think, going into our second year, that the community is behind us. We're here to stay."

Templeton had previously coached under Young when he was owner of the Hawaii Stars and Maui Warriors. In May, Young had nice things to say about both Fuentes and Templeton.

"Garry Templeton II and Garry Templeton (Sr.) are two of the nicest gentlemen and class acts that I've come across in my nine years of this," Young said. "I think the world of Garry. When the Stars weren't going to (happen), I wanted Garry to have a shot. He's great with (players)."

Young also went on to say he loved the way Fuentes worked with the players and says he is a "wonderful teacher."